Scunthorpe - Steel Town & Centre

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Scunthorpe Steel Town & Centre, with Explorers racing around town to track down the golden boots of Scunthorpe's greatest ever striker, Indy Gole, after he goes missing from a steel statue before rival treasure hunters get there first.

The quest covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2+ hours to complete. You'll explore the town centre, pass Church Square, navigate the bus station and train station areas, investigate near North Lincolnshire Museum and St Lawrence Church, then finish in Memorial Garden.

This Trail is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. It follows a mostly urban route along pavements and clear paths, with some grassy areas, steps and a ramp up to the bus station, and zebra crossings to navigate. A couple of clues are in grassy areas, though these should be accessible to motorised wheelchairs.

Take care around the busy roads and crossings, including Carlton Street, Station Road, Oswald Road, Corporation Road and Laneham Street.

The Trail loops back to the start. From Memorial Garden, return along Frances Street, turn left onto West Street, then either reach one of the suggested car parks or continue along Gilliatt Street to the pedestrianised High Street where you began.

Getting There

By car: Begin in the town centre where High Street and Wells Street meet, next to Primark (DN15 6HQ). West Street car park, West Street, Scunthorpe (DN15 6HS / DN15 6HX), is the recommended pay and display option, where the first 2 hours are free. Robert Street car park (DN15 6LU) is an alternative pay and display car park, where the first two hours are free. If you're planning to explore museums, browse the shopping areas or enjoy refreshments once you've discovered the location of the statue with the golden boots, allow extra time on your parking.

By public transport: Make your way to the town centre where High Street and Wells Street meet, next to Primark, to begin the quest. The route passes Scunthorpe bus station and the train station.

Need the Loo?

Useful comfort stops for Explorers can be found at the Arts Centre at Clue 03 and at St John's Market next to Vue Cinema near Clue 05.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

This is a Dog friendly trail, but dogs should be kept on leads as you explore. 🐾

The route is mostly urban, with busy roads and crossings to navigate, plus some grassy areas along the way. Keep four-legged treasure hunters close around traffic, especially on Carlton Street, Station Road, Oswald Road, Corporation Road and Laneham Street.

Food & Drink Stops

Tracking down golden boots is hungry work. There are plenty of refreshments in the town centre before Clue 05, plus a cafe at North Lincolnshire Museum at Clue 10.

Want to Make a Day of It?

North Lincolnshire Museum

You could extend your trip at North Lincolnshire Museum, which offers free entry and is open most days until 4pm. There's plenty for the kids to do and see, including a Jurassic Sea and Steel Town gallery, children's interactive areas, local history objects and stories, plus materials for dressing up, art projects and games.

20-21 Visual Arts Centre

The 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in the corner of Church Square used to be the church of St John the Evangelist. Built in 1891, its final service was in 1984 and it remained derelict for 16 years before becoming part of the arts centre. The name 20-21 refers to the project starting in the 20th century and finishing in the 21st.

St Lawrence Church

St Lawrence Church was originally 12th century, then rebuilt in the 1800s when steel led to a huge population growth. Unusually, it has no steeple because it fell down in 1602 and wasn't replaced. Inside, the wooden altar rails were made by Robert Thompson of Kilburn, North Yorkshire, better known as Mouseman, and his trademark can be found on the rails.

Plowright Theatre

Originally the Civic, this theatre was renamed the Plowright Theatre in the 1990s after distinguished actress Dame Joan Plowright, who was born in the nearby market town of Brigg. Dame Joan was educated in Scunthorpe and married Sir Lawrence Olivier in 1961; the couple remained married until Olivier's death in 1989.

Memorial Garden

The Trail finishes in Memorial Garden, where the final clues lead you to the middle of the gardens. It's a green space at the end of the route and also the point for the return to the start once the golden-boot hunt has been wrapped up.